Moana and Maui’s iconic clapbacks, the magic of what’s beyond the reef, and, of course, a whole lot of HeiHei’s hilarious antics! If I may say, the live-action truly brought a new depth to what “How Far I’ll Go” actually means. Nothing beats an amazingly crafted live-action adaptation for our girl Moana. We enjoyed it so much that, yes, it actually made us cry.

Catherine Laga’aia brings such a raw, authentic energy to Moana that truly honors the character’s spirit, while Dwayne Johnson’s return as Maui carries that perfect balance of humor and heart. Seeing them together, you can feel such a natural, heartfelt dynamic, and the film is such a beautiful, vivid homage to Pacific heritage. that feels both respectful and deeply personal.

Representation matters more than we can say, and seeing the actors step into these roles with such pride and connection to their roots makes the story resonate on a whole new level. And, of course, my heart was full knowing that Auli’i Cravalho is still very much a part of this live-action journey, lending her beautiful, iconic voice to the legacy. It feels like the perfect bridge between the animation we fell in love with and this new, grounded version.
Chief Tui | When I think back to ten years ago, when Moana first graced our screens, I remember watching it with my three-year-old boy. Back then, it was just a happy vibe, an inspiring story about the brave chief’s daughter who wants to go beyond the reef. We enjoyed it, of course, but it didn’t tug at my heartstrings the way it does today.

Fast forward to today, and I’m watching this live-action adaptation as a mother of a 13-year-old. My son is at that beautiful phase where he is bursting with dreams and aspirations, actively figuring out who he is and what he wants to contribute to the world. Seeing that journey through the eyes of a parent to a teen, realizing that he is ready to start looking toward his own horizon, made this film hit home in a way I never expected. It tugged at my heart more than I ever thought possible.

It makes me see Chief Tui differently. While watching, I couldn’t help but deeply resonate with him. It’s easy to look at him as just the obstacle, but as a parent, I understand the weight he carries. When we are protective, it isn’t because we don’t want our kids to reach their full potential or reach their dreams. Of course, we do. But there are times when we feel we have to hit the brakes because of other factors. For some families, it’s money. For some, the path of their child was already built upon birth; for others, it’s because of tragedies that happened in the past.

It is not that we want to imprison them, we just want to protect them. Chief Tui didn’t want Moana on the water even though it had been calling her since she was a toddler because he was scared he would lose her to the same ocean that had caused his ancestors so much pain.

Trusting the Horizon | However, the beautiful lesson in Moana is that we eventually have to learn to trust our children’s decisions. Because it is in those very decisions, in those moments where they choose to forge their own path, that they truly discover who they are meant to be.

There is nothing a parent wants more than for their child to explore the horizon, go beyond the reef, and ultimately know their own strength. Like Granmma Tala, we have to learn that when in doubt, the best thing we can do is hold the space for them and know we will always have their back, no matter how far they sail.

“Sometimes who we wish we were and who we need to be doesn’t match up.” But that doesn’t mean we stop looking toward the horizon. Keep navigating those open waters, because ‘what you are meant to be’ will always find its way to you.

Welcome back, our favorite wayfinder non-princess! 🌊🛶 Forever grateful to our Disney Studios PH family for having us. Moana will always be a family affair for us—it’s safe to say we know our way around the reef better than most. Wink to our very own island voyager. 🌺